Who will shape the future? 25 Filipino trailblazers to watch

Shaping the Philippine retail and lifestyle landscape at Suyen Corporation, Bryan Lim currently serves as the vice president for business development. He actively drives the company’s expansion by cultivating strategic partnerships with leading international brands across the fashion, beauty, dining and retail sectors. Beyond his primary retail responsibilities, his leadership includes overseeing the group’s commercial real estate ventures, where he supports the ongoing development and strategic management of its office properties. Through his multifaceted role, he ensures the enterprise remains at the forefront of the country’s dynamic commercial landscape.

Read more: Inside the ‘Threads of Dreams’ exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila

As the head of Urban Estates at Ayala Land, Inc, Jaime Z Urquijo leads the strategic direction and continued development of a vast portfolio spanning more than 365 hectares. This notable footprint includes the Makati Central Business District, Parklinks, Circuit Makati, Cloverleaf, Arca South and Vertis North. His work focuses on creating highly liveable and sustainable communities by seamlessly integrating long-term master planning with mobility and accessible public spaces. Additionally, he serves on the boards of ACEN Corporation, the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc and the Ayala Foundation.

As the Tan Group moves into its next phase of generational leadership, Lucio Tan III has taken on an increasingly vital role. The grandson of Dr Lucio Tan, he holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University. This impressive academic foundation complements his vast operating experience across banking, aviation, property, beverages and distilled spirits. Having served as president and COO of Tanduay Distillers since 2019, he assumed the same leadership role at LT Group in May 2023, and subsequently at PAL Holdings. Today, his broad strategic exposure brilliantly positions the entire business for success.

Working at the dynamic intersection of design, culture and placemaking, Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala currently serves as the creative director at Ayala Land, guiding the aesthetic vision across the company’s extensive hospitality, residential, commercial and urban development portfolios. Her comprehensive approach spans hotels, public spaces and cultural initiatives, where she regularly collaborates with architects, artists, designers and local artisans to champion Filipino artistry. Her continued work is driven by the firm conviction that the most impactful spaces are those that tell authentic stories and are distinctly Filipino.

Read more: Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala on her life and new role as Ayala Land Hospitality’s creative director

Serving as the chief executive officer of Angkas, George Royeca is one of the Philippines’ foremost advocates for inclusive mobility. He has successfully expanded the homegrown platform into a comprehensive transport ecosystem, which now includes Angkas Padala and AngCars. He is currently leading the institution’s transformation ahead of a planned listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2027. In an unprecedented move, he has pledged to make every rider a shareholder in the company, striving to redefine the future of urban transportation and empower the local workforce by bringing informal workers into the formal economy.

Read more: George Royeca shares his plans to expand the modes of public transportation in the Philippines

As the founder of Kumu, Roland Ros has built a digital community with over 18 million registered users worldwide, leading it to become the first Philippine startup featured in a Stanford Graduate School of Business case study. Beyond his primary enterprise, he is an active investor in ventures like PickUp Coffee and co-founded Sinigang Valley to strengthen the local technology ecosystem. In public service, he serves as a presidentially appointed director of the Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center, Inc. Currently, his work focuses on advancing artificial intelligence to position the Philippines competitively in global innovation.

Read more: Roland Ros on sustainable business executions and building Kumu

This distinguished photojournalist based in the Philippines documents the pressing realities of our time, focusing on critical issues such as politics, climate change and social injustice. A two-time World Press Photo award recipient and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Ezra Acayan has earned global acclaim for his commitment to visual storytelling. His impactful imagery regularly reaches a vast audience through assignments for premier organisations including Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Getty Images, The New York Times and TIME. Beyond these international placements, he ensures his documentary work remains accessible locally through regular exhibitions across Philippine galleries, universities and churches.

Read more: Photojournalist Ezra Acayan on his journey to becoming a Pulitzer Prize finalist

An award-winning broadcast journalist and documentarian, Atom Araullo has consistently utilised his platform to champion truth, public service and responsible citizenship. Beginning his career as a co-host on 5 and Up, he has built a two-decade legacy of immersive reporting covering natural disasters, social inequalities and major political milestones. Beyond journalism, he serves as a National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, advocating for the rights and welfare of displaced populations. In 2022, he earned first prize at the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for his essay, Letter from Tawi-Tawi.

Read more: UNHCR PH Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo on why protecting the welfare of refugees is important

Based in Manila, Carlos Quijon, Jr was appointed last August 2026 as the chief curator of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ contemporary art museum, ahead of its full reopening targetted at February 2027. Earlier in January 2026, he founded Mediator, a paracuratorial platform dedicated to advancing art discourse and exhibition-making. His recent international experience includes a significant tenure as the C-MAP Fellow for Southeast and East Asia at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, concluding in June 2026, and curating the Philippine Pavilion at the Venice Arts Biennale in 2024, which highlighted Mark Salvatus’s work. Furthermore, he curates the ongoing Archipelagic Futurisms series showcased across global galleries.

Read more: Mark Salvatus unveils the ethno-ecologies of Mt Banahaw and Lucban for the Philippine Pavilion at the 60th Venice Art Biennale

Recognised as a prolific actor and prominent figure in Philippine entertainment, Kathryn Bernardo continues to achieve significant milestones across television and film. Following a string of major broadcast successes, she most recently starred as a dating app CEO in the romantic thriller series Someone, Someday. Premiering on Netflix, the project achieved immediate regional success, becoming the most-watched programme in the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia within 12 hours of its release. She also served as a judge for the seventh season of Pilipinas Got Talent in 2025. Her cinematic achievements are equally notable, marked by high-profile films. Her performances consistently draw critical acclaim; for A Very Good Girl (2023), she received the FAMAS Award for Best Actress and was named Outstanding Asian Star at the Seoul International Drama Awards in 2023. Furthermore, her role in Hello, Love, Again (2024) earned her the Philippine Box Office Star recognition from the Philippine Academy for Film and Television Arts in 2026. Beyond acting, Bernardo is a highly sought-after brand endorser and actively supports advocacy organisations such as CARA Welfare Philippines and the Nordhoff Craniofacial Foundation.

Recognised as the definitive pioneers of the modern P-pop movement, this internationally acclaimed quintet operates with unprecedented creative autonomy through their independent agency, 1Z Entertainment. SB19’s global momentum reached a historic rise in 2026 with the release of their highly anticipated album, Wakas at Simula. Its lead single, Visa, debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart. In August 2026, they became the first homegrown Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Expanding their diplomatic reach, the Department of Tourism officially designated them as the Philippines’ newest tourism ambassadors in July 2026.

Read more: On Centre Stage: Get to know some of the music icons in the Philippines

Making history as the first Filipino artist to sign with a Hybe label, this dynamic singer has rapidly ascended to global prominence as the leader of the multinational girl group Katseye. Under Sophia Laforteza’s leadership, the group achieved remarkable milestones, notably performing at the prestigious Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2026. In June 2026, she was announced to have recorded a key track for the DreamWorks Animation film, Forgotten Island. A prominent voice for mental health awareness, she took a temporary hiatus in August 2026 to prioritise her well-being, setting a vital example for young entertainers.

Recognised as a seven-time Best Actress, recording artist and entrepreneur, Nadine Lustre uses her platform to drive public conversation on critical social issues. In music, her cinematic visual storytelling is showcased in her highly anticipated upcoming album, which features a collaboration with an internationally recognised Filipino artist to celebrate cultural identity and heritage. She actively supports Peta Asia, the Masungi Georeserve and collaborates with lawmakers to advance legislative proposals focused on animal protection, plant-based nutrition and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, she champions sustainability and ethical choices through her aligned entrepreneurial ventures.

Read more: Actress and eco-warrior Nadine Lustre on how she plans to save the planet

Widely celebrated as the nation’s premier P-pop girl group, this eight-member powerhouse has firmly established Philippine pop music on the global stage. Following a historic headlining concert at the Philippine Arena and the release of their first all-English EP, BINI reached unprecedented heights during their sold-out BINIverse World Tour across North America in 2025. In 2026, they made history as the first all-Filipino group to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Delivering viral hits like Pantropiko and Salamin, Salamin, they continue to command the world’s most prestigious stages.

Read more: The Rise of P-pop: How today’s generation of artists pushed Filipino music forward

Operating at the crossroads of design, technology and craft, this innovative entrepreneur is deeply dedicated to elevating Philippine agricultural heritage on a global scale. Mark Ocampo’s professional foundation was built at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, training in robotics and fine arts, before directing global campaigns at Ogilvy & Mather and studying chocolate production at Germany’s ZDS Institute. In 2017, he co-founded Auro Chocolate alongside Kelly Go. Under his leadership, this sustainability-minded bean-to-bar company has cultivated a rapidly growing international presence, distributing premium products across 50 countries worldwide. Continuously representing the Philippines, the company has earned over a hundred international accolades, including three titles for producing the world’s best cacao beans at the prestigious Cacao of Excellence awards. Through meticulous craftsmanship and sustainable sourcing, he champions local agricultural products within the global luxury market.

Read more: Foodie Finds with Mark Ocampo, co-founder of Auro Chocolate

Combining software engineering with a deep commitment to mental healthcare, this visionary entrepreneur is the founder and chief executive officer of Empath. Under Steph Naval’s leadership, the wellness provider delivers data-driven mental healthcare solutions tailored for workplaces, schools and non-profit organisations. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology, after having completed the Artificial Intelligence Programme at Saïd Business School. Her impactful work has earned her recognition as a One Young World Ambassador and a UN Women WEPs awardee.

Read more: Padel Therapy: How smashing balls on court can help smash your stress, according to Empath founder Stephanie Naval

Bridging public health, nutrition science and space exploration, this registered nutritionist-dietitian currently serves as a Nutrition Specialist for the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network PH and sits on the board of the Philippine Association of Nutrition, Inc. Kristine Atienza holds the distinction of being the first Filipino analogue astronaut and the first certified for commercial suborbital spaceflight by NASTAR. Recognised for her pioneering work, she serves as a judge for the NASA Deep Space Food Challenge 2026 and acts as a lead resource speaker for the Philippine Space Agency’s Analog Habitat Waypoint Program.

Read more: What space missions reveal about building human-centred systems, according to an analogue astronaut

A lifelong commitment to farming communities began at age 12 for this globally recognised social entrepreneur and agricultural leader. Today, Cherrie Atilano is the founder and chief executive officer of Agrea Agricultural Systems International, a purpose-driven enterprise focused on advancing regenerative, climate-resilient and inclusive agriculture. Through this platform, she has successfully supported over 37,000 smallholder farming families. In tandem, she serves as chairperson of the Agrea Foundation and sits on the Board of Directors of the Rainforest Alliance, contributing to sustainable agriculture across 64 countries. Her two decades of expertise in food systems transformation have earned recognition as a United Nations Food Systems Champion and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Academically, she holds a degree in Agriculture from Visayas State University, with executive education from Wageningen, Stanford, the Swedish Institute and Harvard Kennedy School. Recently selected as a 2026 Eisenhower Fellow in the Innovative Entrepreneurs Program, she is currently developing a regenerative agroforestry initiative to empower smallholder farmers at scale.

Read more: Founder and CEO of Agrea, Cherrie Atilano, shares her empowering story

Spearheading vital environmental conservation east of Metro Manila, Billie Dumaliang is a managing trustee and co-founder of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation. She leads the Philippines’ largest privately-led reforestation initiative, actively rehabilitating 2,700 hectares of degraded watershed funded through innovative geotourism. Her team’s highly effective use of viral storytelling has significantly influenced national policies surrounding forest protection and climate action. For her bold leadership in sustainable development, she was recognised as a United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Land Hero in 2024.

Read more: Eco-activists and sisters Ann and Billie Dumaliang on dealing with setbacks and armed resistance

As a managing trustee and co-founder of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Ann Dumaliang is a pivotal force in protecting threatened landscapes in Baras, Rizal. She champions vital ecological preservation by leveraging geotourism, environmental education and sustainable development principles. Alongside her sister Billie, the foundation earned the Best Practice Project for the World Expo 2025 in Japan. A National Geographic explorer and Ashoka Fellow, her transformative impact on nation-building was honoured with the Ramon V del Rosario Siklab Award.

Read more: “Resilience is a muscle that gets stronger as it is exercised”: Conservationist Ann Dumaliang on overcoming eco-anxiety

Pursuing the ultimate ambition of reaching Formula 1, this 21-year-old Filipino racing driver has firmly established herself on the international motorsport stage. Currently, Bianca Bustamante is competing in the Eurocup-3 Championship, where she holds the distinct honour of being the sole female driver on the grid. Her recent milestones include completing her rookie season in the 2025 GB3 Championship and her appointment as a Development Driver for Kiro Race Co in Formula E. Through her continued achievements in elite championships, she actively disrupts the status quo, proving that women can thrive in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

Read more: What racing driver Bianca Bustamante knows about pressure and consistency

Consistently ranked among the world’s top pole vaulters, he is a two-time Olympian who achieved a commendable fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As the current Asian Record Holder, EJ Obiena has continued his dominant streak into the 2026 season, capturing his seventh gold medal of the year at a meeting in Jockgrim, Germany. This victory builds upon his 2026 gold medals at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and ISTAF Indoor in Berlin, among other international meets. Beyond his sporting excellence, he was selected by World Athletics to serve as a Better World Ambassador.

Read more: More than medals: how EJ Obiena and Atletang Ayala are shaping champions on and off the field

This tennis sensation has established herself as a defining figure in Philippine sports. In 2025, Alex Eala captured her inaugural WTA 125 title at the Guadalajara Open and reached a historic WTA Tour final at the Eastbourne Open. Her momentum accelerated in 2026, rewriting history at the Wimbledon Championships by spectacularly defeating seasoned champion Iga Świątek to advance to the second week. Most recently, she captured her maiden WTA 500 title at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, achieving a career-high ranking of world No. 18. This made her the highest-ranked Filipino tennis player in history.

Read more: Alex Eala Live: Tatler brings tennis superstar home for historic Philippine Arena match

Recognised as one of the most decorated Filipino athletes in modern history, Carlos Yulo captured two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. His extraordinary triumph was preceded by world championship titles in the floor exercise in 2019 and vault in 2021. He further captured his fifth consecutive floor exercise gold medal at the 13th Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Senior Asian Championships in Zunyi, China in June 2026. This victory was made even more historic as he shared the senior-level podium for the first time with his younger brother, Eldrew, who secured the bronze medal in the same event.

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